The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-10-01
FAIR 0PHELIA.
CHATTER ].
BY 5. r.


The roads should blossom, the roads
should bloom,
So fair bride should leave her home;
Should blossom and bloom with garlands
gay,
"Come, Basil; are you ready?"
Hazel Glandore spoke impatiently,
regarding her brothers. slow move
ments with growing disfavour.
Basil said nothing, and tying the big
boquet he had been gathering with a
dainty satin bow, followed his sister
down the avenue.
Where are Rita and Lilyy" he ask
ed MS they entered the broad shady
road. IL thought they were coming!"
Rita went on before, having
promised TO call for Lilly on her way.
do hope we shan't be later
mo fear of that. How impatient
you are, Hazelr' Basil exclaimed mer-
rily.
The girl smiled, then glanced do wn
at the pale blue muslin robe she had
put on SO carefully an hour ago.
las we promised Peggy faithfully
we would be there. | do not see why
you should make me break my word.
Won't she be pleased TO see you?"
'sShe ought 10 be; anyhow
wouldn't have missed the wedding for
all the world. / never shall forget
how brayely the dear girl nursed me
through that terrible fever when no
one else dared come near me. owe
her debt of gratitude"
Hazel rertIy squeezed her brothers
arm, but there were tears In the ten
der eyes she fixed upon him.
= How well she remembered those
dreadful days, and the grief il had
been To them all 60 DC forbidden Ba-
sli's room.
They had not gone far before they
were met by two young girls, one
bearing an unmistakable likeness to
Hazel; the other. tall stately maiden.
with an almost colourless beautiful
face. and masses of fair flaxen hair
Her clear blue eyes frightened
wonderfully when they fell upon
Hazel's companion. and she held out
both hands in eager welcome.
III am 30 glad to see you home once
more!- she exclaimed in low musical
voice. allow well you look; scarcely
knew roli."
"Pleasc don't say that, or | shall
regret having left Dalyyille. Are you
also bound for peggy's weddings"
.'les; it is the least we can do after
all she has done for us.r
lily's voice dropped AS she said
those last words. and Basil almost
thought he detected slight tremor In
In the low tones.
with an expression OF suppressed
eagerness on his handsome sun
Drowned face, nc bent towards her,
trying TO look into her downcast eyes
"Then YOU were not quite indiffer-
emit? You did want me Co get wellg'
he muttered earnestly.
She did not lit her eyes. but a deli
cate rosc-nush suddenly tinged the
clear pallor OF her skin.
There was "A sweet smile on her lips
when she answered him:
~ cared SO much, that had Peggy
failed in the task she so nobly under
tosk, should have died"
Basil listened rapturously TO those
f,wyent words: hc had always loved
swcet.facrd Lily, but had feared lest
her heart remained untouched by the
passion in his own.
Now all doubts We're cast aside, and
he knew that the love he courted was
indeed his Own.
Hazel and Rita walked innocently
on before, never guessing the pretty
scene that was being enacted almost
under their eyes; their soft laughter
and half.whlspcred sentences were the
only sounds that broke the silence
which followed i.iIy's avowal.
The little rustic church was soon
reached, and already groups OF lads
and lasses, all dressed in holiday attire,
were gathered about the porch.
Many meaning looks and bright
smilos greeted the squire's only son as
he took his place. with his sisters and
Lily near the gate